HC Deb 16 December 1969 vol 793 c262W
46. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what reasons he has been given by local authorities, in reply to his communications, for their cut-back in their council housebuilding programmes; and what estimate he has made of the effect on these programmes of allowing the 4 per cent. loans for 60 years to be backdated to the date the first brick was laid.

Mr. Denis Howell

Authorities have so far given a wide variety of reasons, which my hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Secretary is discussing with them. To advance the date of the initial payment of subsidy would cost at least an additional £40 million a year, but I have no reason to believe that there would be a commensurate increase in the total number of houses built.